Colorado Parks and Wildlife says that the hunter who killed a cow moose and her yearling close to the Salt Lick Trail near Silverthorne had been hunting in a legal area.

The hunter self-reported making the kills Sunday, Oct. 6, Colorado Parks and Wildlife northwest region public information officer Rachel Gonzales said in an email. The cow moose was harvested legally and the yearling was a mistaken kill, Gonzales said.

On social media, some local residents raised concern about hunting in the Salt Lick area, which is located in close proximity to residential homes. But Gonzales said it is legal to hunt in this area.

“In general, we do ask hunters to avoid harvesting in areas where there are a lot of people that could potentially witness them harvesting an animal,” Gonzales said. “Most hunters will try to avoid busy/popular recreation areas as human presence can disturb and push wildlife off into other areas where there is little to no human presence.”

But moose – which are estimated to have a population of about 3,400 animals in Colorado – often hang around residential areas more than other game species, Gonzales said, increasing the amount of interactions between moose hunters and the public.

“Moose have a much higher tolerance for human activity,” Gonzales said. “So you will often see moose hunters in areas where other recreationalists are active because that’s where the moose like to hang out.”

Colorado Parks and Wildlife always recommends that those recreating wear bright colors during hunting season, though that does not have to be the orange or pink required of hunters, Gonzales said.

The state wildlife agency also suggests pet owners keep their dogs leashed even where not required to because moose see dogs as predators and will defend themselves if they feel threatened, she said.

For more information on Colorado’s hunting season, visit CPW.State.CO.us/hunting. 

Gonzales added, “It’s important to remember, Colorado’s outdoors belong to everyone, and it’s everyone’s responsibility to ensure they are following the laws and recreating safely.”